Is Dothan or Houston Safer?
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of 2024 FBI data, Dothan is safer than Houston (Safety Score 11/100 vs 3/100), with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100,000 versus 5,442 for Houston — 32% lower. Dothan has lower rates in 7 of 7 crime categories.
The biggest difference is in robbery, where Dothan has a 81% lower rate.
Note: Houston is 32.5x larger by coverage, which can affect crime rate comparisons. Larger cities tend to report higher rates due to density and more comprehensive reporting.
Dothan — 4-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Houston — 5-Year Trend
Violent
Property
Total
Dothan, AL
Houston, TX
Detailed Crime Rate Comparison
| Crime Type | Dothan | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate | 3,677.9 | 5,441.7 | -1,763.8 |
| Violent Crime Rate | 912.8 | 1,148.3 | -235.5 |
| Murder Rate | 7.0 | 13.8 | -6.8 |
| Rape Rate | 68.7 | 73.0 | -4.3 |
| Robbery Rate | 53.3 | 274.0 | -220.7 |
| Aggravated Assault Rate | 783.8 | 787.4 | -3.5 |
| Property Crime Rate | 2,765.1 | 4,293.5 | -1,528.4 |
| Burglary Rate | 364.6 | 644.8 | -280.2 |
| Larceny-Theft Rate | 2,268.7 | 2,945.7 | -677.0 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft Rate | 131.8 | 703.0 | -571.2 |
All rates per 100,000 residents. Source: FBI UCR 2024.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Dothan or Houston safer?
Dothan is safer with a total crime rate of 3,678 per 100K vs 5,442 for Houston — a 32% difference.
How do violent crime rates compare?
Dothan has a violent crime rate of 912.8 per 100K while Houston has 1,148.3. Dothan has lower violent crime.
About Dothan, AL
Dothan, Alabama, the "Peanut Capital of the World," is a city in Houston County with a population of around 70,000. It serves as a regional hub for commerce and healthcare in the Wiregrass Region of southeast Alabama. With a safety score of 11/100 and a population coverage of 71,318, Dothan has a total crime rate of 3,677.9 per 100,000 residents.
About Houston, TX
Houston, the "Space City," is a sprawling metropolis in Southeast Texas, home to NASA's Johnson Space Center. Its diverse population makes it one of the most multicultural cities in the U.S., with significant Hispanic and Asian communities. With a safety score of 3/100 and a population coverage of 2,319,160, Houston has a total crime rate of 5,441.7 per 100,000 residents.